Gamunu Chethiya with his hat-trick of tries is the leading try scorer in the Singer Schools Rugby League 2018
Five second half tries — Eight in total — and a hat-trick by Gemunu Chethiya helped St. Joseph’s College destroy St. Anthony’s College 50-24 in the Singer Schools’ Rugby encounter played at Havelock Park today (3/23).
Visitors St. Anthony’s showed fight and courage throughout the first half, making use of the few opportunities they received, catching the home side off guard as they stayed in catching distance at the end of the first half.
The Josephine’s were forced into keeping inform winger Keshan Kavinda on the bench with a slight niggle, bringing try scorer from last week, Imesh Dissanakaye while Ishara Prasad formed a new locking partnership with Nimesh Kavind.
St. Anthoy’s captain Kavinda Amarakoon was omitted from the match day squad due to injury as big no.8 Shabeer Mohamed took over the reigns.
Five trie in the first half saw the game take shape in surprising fashion as the Eagles were in touching distance of the home side 19-12.
Early intent was shown by the Josephians even though it was Mohomed Makarim who opened the scoring for St. Anthony’s College from their first touch of the game. A sublime back line move saw the second-five bulldozer through the Josephian defense as to catch the hosts defense napping.
Thirusha Ekanayake failed to add the extras from near the fifteen meter, taking an early lead for the Eagles. (SJC 00-05 Anthony’s)
The lead was short lived as the Josephians dominance did not go unrewarded. The visitors defense which held firm in the first exchanges were broken to shambles by the potent josphian back as they opted to run instead of kick from their own 22.
Photos : St.Joseph’s College v St.Anthony’s College | Schools Rugby League 2018
Gemunu Chethiya capped off the move created by full back Dulanjana Piyathissa, after his nippy footwork created a window of space. Joes shifted through the gears, taking the intensity to the next level as the lead was soon doubled.
Captain Sameesha Virangana bossed proceedings, taking a quick-tap from five meters out sending over Shevon Gregory. Santhush Algama converted both tries as the lead changed hands. (SJC 14-05 Anthony’s)
The Eagles cut the deficit to two, straight from the restart as the Josephian’s failed to collect the kick. As flanker Lashan Mahindarathna pounced on the loose ball. He dived on his own grubber kick as the seven points were made certain by Mohomed Makarim. (SJC 14-12 Anthony’s)
A moment of brilliance by Virangana caught his opposition off guard as he took his team into leamons in front. He spotted space at the back, chipping and recollecting his own kick to dive beside the near touchline. The try went unconverted as half time seemed to come at the wrong time for the hosts who were just taking proceedings a notch up.
Half Time: St. Joseph’s College 19 (3T 2C) lead St. Anthony’s College 12 (2T 1C)
The Eagles took off in the second half, touching down just 4 minutes into the second stanza. Rashane Goonawardena’s hospital pass was picked from the Josephians and the visitors came back within touching distance through Mahindarathna’s second in the game as kicking standards in the School’s Rugby arena seemed on the decline. (SJC 19-17 Anthony’s)
The side from Maradana soon secured the bonus point through a try from replacement John Ganegoda as they intend to attack, — the best form of defense–
The flanker was the man to finish a move in which saw Gregory held up moment earlier. Algama too continued to struggle with his boot even though his game in open play has increased leaps and bounds. (SJC 24-17 Anthony’s)
Gemunu Chethiya completed his second hat-trick in three games as he scored two second half tries in the space of five minutes, adding further pain into the Eagles defense which looked in shambles.
His first came off after some delightful backline play while his third came, minutes after he decided to put on a show for the supporters.
Algama put some of his critics to bed with a sensational touchline conversion and one from close range as a healthy 11-point lead opened up between the two sides. (SJC 38-17 Anthony’s)
Replacement Nehan Perera scored his first as Nilufer Ibrahim wrung the changes, emptying the bench, putting the game beyond the reach of his opposition.
St. Joseph’s College v St. Anthony’s College | ThePapare Stats Centre
singer schools rugby league 2018
Minutes later when the Eagles were reduced to thirteen, the home side reached the half-century mark as Ganegoda continued his good try scoring fom off the bench.
The game was rounded off through a try from Nirangana Ranaweera, however, second half worry’s continued and another debacle in the latter half only added to the troubles for the Anthonians.
Fulltime: St. Joseph’s College 50 (8T 5C) beat St. Anthony’s College 24 (4T 2C)
ThePapare.com Player of the Match: Gemunu Chethiya (SJC 13)
Score Breakdown:
St. Joseph’s College – Gemunu Chethiya 3T, Shevon Gregory 1T, Sameesha Virangana 1T, John Ganegoda 2T, Nehan Perera 1T, Santhush Algama 5C
Bookings – Kavishka Jayasooriya & Nihan Perera
St. Anthony’s College – Mohomed Makarim 1T 1C, Udarana Ariyapala 2T, Niranga Ranaweera 1T, Chamod Wanasinghe 1C
